American Staffordshire Terriers

[Wobbly]

If you can't see Chris' pictures, try to actually click on the name at the bottom left side of the pages he has linked to, that brought them up for me.

[Purdie]

Thanks very much Wobbly !;Yes i can see the pictures now......Gorgeous pup Chris001 he looks like the one i met.

[chris001]

I'm starting to think now that he may be crossed with pitty, whats the cost for dna testing him?

I've owned both american and english staffies in the past, I know how energetic they are and have read the history behide the breed. The only dogs I'll ever keep, love them lol.

[Wobbly]

I don't think you'll get any joy out of the DNA tests, they're a bit of an iffy technology.

That said BSL being what it is, I am half tempted to go and do one and no doubt it'll come up with some ridiculous results - I'd get a total kick out of it the primary breed came up as something like Bassett Hound or Poodle and I could reregister my dog as one of those, based on DNA evidence. Science, Yo.

Yep, I think your pup's mum is a Pit Bull (or what passes for a Pit Bull in Australia anyhow). There's a metric crap ton of political baggage that goes along with ownership. As you'll go along you'll develop your own individual stance on the subject, as it affects you and your dog, and we all tend to disagree vehemently about how everyone else handles it. Some will identify their dog as Staffy or AmStaffy or a cross thereof, others (like myself) will choose the Pit Bull name in an effort to make people understand at a grassroots community level (the people we meet with out dogs) that they're great pets. There's really no wrong or right way, it's a matter of opinion. Be aware that the breeders and owners of pedigreed registered Amstaffs may get upset about unpedigreed dogs being called AmStaffs, and the same with breeders and owners of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and they do have a case for that. Personally my view is that Pit Bull is a catch all term for American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers, so I go with Pit Bull, but there are plenty who disagree and will argue till they're blue in the face.

The important thing to remember when you're arguing those semantics though, is that we're under heavy fire legislatively and for a little while we do need to stick together until Pit Bull type dogs are no longer under threat of arbitrary seizure and euthanasia. Once that danger is passed we can get back to punching on over semantics.

[chris001]

I read that amstaffs can have red noses but are'nt fit for show if that makes sence.

I agree with everything you said.

I'm not much of a writter so sorry for keeping it short and sweet.

[chris001]

Do you think his father could also or may be a pitbull? And he has sold them off as amstaffs

[Sabbath]

Without pedigree papers you don't really know what you have. Unfortunately with Bull Breeds this presents a problem in some parts of the country. Your 'breeder' doesn't appear to be the type these breeds need.

[blakkjackal]

Do you think his father could also or may be a pitbull? And he has sold them off as amstaffs

You said he was blue, that's enough of an answer.

So no.

Dogs with unknown lineage are mutts. Bull breed mixes, bull mutts, amstaff x, whatever you want to call them. But not "amstaffs" or especially "pit bulls".

Also not every bull type dog with a red nose is a pit bull and it is impossible to determine a dog's breed based on a picture only.

e: I still can't see the pictures though, there is nothing at the bottom left side of the page... :/

Edited July 4, 2013 by Hockz

[WreckitWhippet]

You've purchased a cross bred

[melzawelza]

Amstaff and APBT DNA is identical so no point there.

Red noses can crop up in Pedigreed Amstaffs but it is exceedingly rare, particularly in this country.

He's not a pure bred anything but he's a lovely boy. Work hard with training and socialising him and he will reward you tenfold. :)

Edited July 4, 2013 by melzawelza

[chris001]

If he's crossed or not still like him. He's good with the family. The only issue we have had with him is at one stage he was growling when we went close to him while he was eating and twice he went to go and bite but thats all sorted at the momment.

I was really hoping he was'nt pitty, because he could be terminated and me fined correct?

[juice]

Any pit looking dog without papers is at risk, what is he registered as?

I would only buy an Amstaff these days that came with papers to prove thats what he is.

Just make sure you don't mention to anyone your fears about what he maybe, make sure he is well behaved and keep control of him around other people and dogs, socialize him well.

You don't want anyone to draw unwanted attention to him.

At least he isn't red, so not too obvious.

[blakkjackal]

Any pit looking dog without papers is at risk, what is he registered as?

I would only buy an Amstaff these days that came with papers to prove thats what he is.

Just make sure you don't mention to anyone your fears about what he maybe, make sure he is well behaved and keep control of him around other people and dogs, socialize him well.

You don't want anyone to draw unwanted attention to him.

At least he isn't red, so not too obvious.

And avoid dog parks (just to clarify as many people seem to think dog parks are the perfect place for socializing). Don't let him off lead unless you trust the area 100% or it is fenced. Make sure you have him contained properly, an unpapered bull-type dog roaming the streets can be very bad news.

[melzawelza]

If he's crossed or not still like him. He's good with the family. The only issue we have had with him is at one stage he was growling when we went close to him while he was eating and twice he went to go and bite but thats all sorted at the momment.

I was really hoping he was'nt pitty, because he could be terminated and me fined correct?

In NSW with that colouring he'll probably be fine.

They also can't just take him from you - if a Council suspects him to be a restricted breed you have the opportunity to have him breed and temperament tested. If you ever have any issues jump on here and people can talk you through the process. I'd be surprised if you did though.

[chris001]

He's registered as an american staffy. He is pritty well behaved but is real protective of our house everytime someone walks by he barks and stands ground. He has been fully vacinated but vet said I cant take him out for two weeks which ends this monday (cant wait). I've found a training school in my area for pups of his age, we'll be starting that in about 2 weeks time so I can socialise him with other dogs and people.

I think he'll go good, I've tought him some basic obedience but would like to work on it more and find other ways to go about it.

[melzawelza]

He's registered as an american staffy. He is pritty well behaved but is real protective of our house everytime someone walks by he barks and stands ground. He has been fully vacinated but vet said I cant take him out for two weeks which ends this monday (cant wait). I've found a training school in my area for pups of his age, we'll be starting that in about 2 weeks time so I can socialise him with other dogs and people.

I think he'll go good, I've tought him some basic obedience but would like to work on it more and find other ways to go about it.

Great start! Just remember that puppy school isn't the end of the road - that's like sending your kids to Kindy and then never following up with regular school.

So once you've finished puppy school look for an obedience club in your area where you can continue to train him as he grows and goes through the teenager phase! :laugh:

[Simply Grand]

He's good looking boy :) it sounds like you're doing all the right things with him so keep going and he should be a great dog.

I wouldn't worry too much about him being a bit protective and alert barking when people come to the house - although depends how loud he is I guess, don't want to annoy the neighbours - BUT through your training with him you should be able to quite quickly build your relationship with him so that when you tell to stop as everything's fine, he'll do it. What I mean is dogs will hear things and bark to alert the family but you want to teach him that its not actually his job to protect you or the home, it's your job and you have it covered so he can relax.

[chris001]

Yeah I'll deffently keep the obedience training up and do what I can when any issues come up.

I'm abit "how you doing" when he's around my two year old but he's good with her, plays soft with her compared to how he plays with me.

I cant fully trust how he would react with other animals (dogs) as it has'nt been put to the test yet besides vet visits, and have'nt really had him for that long to know how he would, but at the vet he got really curious tail wagging and all.

I plan on getting a muzzel when he gets abit bigger and stronger just to be sure, but people might take it the wrong way when walking him and so on.

Thanks for everyone's answers, tips and help with all my concerns and questions that have popped up. :D

[Staffyluv]

If you socialise him while he is young with others who have dog friendly dogs then he should be fine and there may be no need for a muzzle in the future.

Obedience training is a great start.

I took my boy (staffy cross, adopted from the local pound when he was 6 months old - with no training at all) to obedience and he hasn't looked back - he came first in the beginners class and we just did the next level up (intermediate) and he came third..

I am very lucky with Ziggy, he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body and is super friendly with all dogs (even cats).

Most of us are in the same boat, learning with our dogs as we go along..

One of the best things about DOL is how so many are willing to help and offer advice.

We have a fantastic group of professional trainers here who share their advice with issues.

If you have training questions, visit the training forum, or health issues, visit the health forum.

This is a great place to learn about dogs.

[juice]

I wouldnt be muzzling him, it will draw attention to him.

When you say he plays harder with you than your child are you "roughing him up?",don't, he is a highly reactive and excitable breed, don't encourage it.

When he meets other dogs bear in mind bull breeds often get in other dogs faces and want to wrestle, they get over stimulated sometimes, if he appears to be getting too rough, put him back on lead, walk around calm him down and let him say hello again, he needs to learn respect for other dogs, and you don't want him to ever show his power.